2015 Yukon SLT Towing

[cfendya]

Hey guys, I'm new here and recently picked up a 2015 Yukon SLT. I've read all the great reviews on the new engine/transmission and I'm currently trying to figure out a safe and acceptable towing capacity as we're looking to pickup a travel trailer for camping!

I've seen conflicting info out there hence my questions. Does anyone know what the non-HD trailer package Yukon can tow? The manual states 6300 w/ 3.08 gears but I've seen higher numbers than this. I do know our Yukon came with the oil and transmission cooler so the only thing we're missing from the HD towing package is the 3.48 and brake controller. The hitch says max of 10k with a max tongue weight of 1k.

We're looking at a trailer that weighs 5200 minus water and I'm figuring another 500 or so pounds loaded with our stuff. That would put us pretty close to the max so curious what the thoughts are in maxing out tow capacity.

One final note...We're at high altitude residing in Denver, CO. Folks have told us the high altitude will come into play when towing anything.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and guidance. Anyone that has a '15 and tows that can weigh in would be a huge help!!

 

[malones99]

I would go with what the manual states, however a 4x4 is slightly lower.

 

[BirchyBoy]

Hey there. The altitude will reduce your horsepower. I ran some numbers a while back and my drop (in Aurora) was 16% if I recall correctly. I agree with malones - go with what the manual says. Alternatively, you can calculate it using the numbers in the door jamb. It will list the max axle weights, etc. There are online calculators to help you with that.

 

[Gavenger]

The more weight the more strain on the drivetrain. Although we can assume GMC under reports the max tow capacity for liability reasons, I agree with the above statement of staying within the limits for safety and warranty purposes. The biggest issue with towing weight is not the acceleration but the braking. As your vehicle didn't come with the brake controller you'll most likely have one installed. And just make sure you plan ahead while driving. There are aftermarket brake posada that ares better rated for towing, so you could go there if the stock pads are not reassuring enough to you after a few tows are completed. I don't see you having to much difficulty with your set up though.

 

[BirchyBoy]

Amen on the braking. Get a good trailer brake and get it calibrated correctly. It makes all the difference in the world, as does changing your driving style.

 

[malones99]

Towing laws differ from state to state, such as if you need a sway bar. Braking is #1 concern. I assume with your trailer weight, all states say you need a brake controller and a sway bar, weight distribution hitch. I will be towing my 5700lb (dry) trailer tomorrow up 3 grades from SoCal to High Sierra's. CA law is very clear, over 3000lb pounds must have a brake controller, sway bar, weight distribution hitch is optional (I have the Max trailer package, 3.42, integrated brake controller, air shocks). I will let you all know tomorrow evening how it went, I will probably add 500lbs to the trailer with water and supplies.

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 PM ----------

BTW, in the Cajon pass there is a "run away vehicle" gravel ramp, I have seen semi's and light duty w/trailers in their. Most major grades have a vehicle brake check area. Don't be that person! On my old 99 Suburban I took it to Camping World and had them install a brake controller, IIR it was around $200 including installation.

 

[Gavenger]

Do yourself a favor and get the controller. You will never regret it. I'd recommend the weight distributing hitch as well.

 

[cfendya]

Thanks all for the replies! I'm definitely going to get a good brake controller. Looking at the P2 right now as the P3 seems to add "profiles" so if you pull multiple trailers you can easily change things around.

That said, it looks like there is a factory harness option with Tekonsha but I'm unable to locate the hook up under the dash. Anyone have any idea where the harness/plug in for it is?

Thanks again all!!

 

[malones99]

Here is my report, first, my Tahoe has the max towing package (3.42 gears, integrated trailer brake, rear air suspension, it is also a 4x4, rated at 8200lbs for towing. I have a 28 foot travel trailer that is 5700lbs dry. Since I am dry camping for 5 days, I need the water and propane topped off. I figured with wife and three kids worth of "stuff" we add about 1200lbs including water, propane and gear. That brings my trailer to 6900lbs, well within limits.

Setting up the hitch (tahoe has 20" wheels): I had to adjust the hitch to a lower setting (previous setting was for a 99 Suburban). The tahoe is 3 inches "taller" at the hitch than the OBS suburban. I was contemplating the weight distribution bars, do I need them or not, I figured with the air suspension I probably didn't, but in the back of my mind, why put the extra strain on my tahoe, so I did add the bars, I also installed the sway bar (remember you MUST have a sway bar in CA if the trailer weighs more than 3000lb pounds), and finally hooked up the electrical.

I then went to the local school parking lot to setup the brake controller, very easy to use.

Then off we went (forgot to mention Tahoe was topped off with premium gas, I always use premium for towing, 26 gallons). Acceleration was great merging onto the freeway (tow/haul mode is on). First grade was the Cajon Pass, not a very difficult grade 3-4% if that, 7MPG, I was in the lane next to the truckers lane, average 52-57MPH, not bad. Got onto the 395 north, 17 miles of 50MPH max for road construction (what a pain). After that 55-65MPH, 13-15MPG. Arrived in Bishop, topped of gas, had lunch, back on the road.

Second grade (IDK the name) is a few miles north of Bishop, much shorter than Cajon, but much steeper, 4-5%, averaged 4MPG, but only took 15 minutes.

Now in the high country, with the third and final grade, again steep and short, I would guess same percent as second grade, 4MPG also.

We arrived at our campsite at 4pm in the afternoon, leaving at 7am in the morning. Not 1 issue with the Tahoe, trans temp did not get hotter than 205, engine oil temp did not seem to rise much. I set the cruise to 60 MPH, 80% of the time, with tow/haul on the duration of the drive. Granted we did drive through the desert in the morning, I would guess 3-5 degrees hotter for the fluids if driving during peak temps.

Disclaimer, we drove from elevation of 1200 feet, to June Lake at 6700, not a whole lot of braking, but when I needed to brake you really couldn't tell the trailer way their. It took my wife and I about 15 minutes to setup the brake controller, read the manual!

Interesting items I noticed, only 1 time did the electric fans got to "max" speed, pulling out of Bishop (98 degrees) to start the 2nd grade, they stayed on the whole grade, as soon as we "leveled" off, they decreased speed. Going from a 4 speed with 3.73 (OBS Suburban) to a 6 speed with 3.42, I felt the Tahoe "pulled" better, the horsepower is probably a significant factor, 100 more HP than the vortec 350.

Just my $.02 on towing with the 15's.

 

[Gavenger]

Good to know! My expertise with that route is with my dad's 2500HD with a duramax and similar sized trailer. I'm curious how my tahoe will handle that route. My tahoe had the max trailer package but with the 18" wheels

 

[powderbrake]

I have a 2015 Tahoe with the Max trailer package, and I occasionally tow a 7 X 16 dual axle trailer, which weighs about 2100 pounds, with about 3000 additional pounds of load.

The 2015 tows it very easily, and performs much better than my 2007 Tahoe did without the higher ratio axle. I do use a weight distribution hitch.

When I ordered the new Tahoe, I was worried about gas mileage with the higher ratio axle when I'm not towing. It turns out the 2015 gets 19+ MPG on the highway at 70-75 mph. That is so much better than the 2007, I'm very happy with it.

 

[diesel rob]

I think it's like 8000 with the HD package.

 

[HAARubicon]

Nice write up on towing experiences.

For the OP, don't skimp on the hitch for a Travel Trailer. I am pulling 35 footer (12000 lbs) with my D-Max powered 2005 3/4 ton Suburban and use the Hensley Arrow Hitch (Pro Pride is its equal or some say better). They make a light duty for lighter trailers, but believe me when I say it makes all the difference in the world on the way the Tow vehicle and trailer feel when hitched up. They are expensive compared to a standard Weight Distribution hitch, but so is your tow vehicle and the trailer your pulling.

These hitches take out the sway, they do what they claim. My hitch has 80k miles on it and still works like new.

 

[sysmast]

Here is my report, first, my Tahoe has the max towing package (3.42 gears, integrated trailer brake, rear air suspension, it is also a 4x4, rated at 8200lbs for towing. I have a 28 foot travel trailer that is 5700lbs dry. Since I am dry camping for 5 days, I need the water and propane topped off. I figured with wife and three kids worth of "stuff" we add about 1200lbs including water, propane and gear. That brings my trailer to 6900lbs, well within limits.

Setting up the hitch (tahoe has 20" wheels): I had to adjust the hitch to a lower setting (previous setting was for a 99 Suburban). The tahoe is 3 inches "taller" at the hitch than the OBS suburban. I was contemplating the weight distribution bars, do I need them or not, I figured with the air suspension I probably didn't, but in the back of my mind, why put the extra strain on my tahoe, so I did add the bars, I also installed the sway bar (remember you MUST have a sway bar in CA if the trailer weighs more than 3000lb pounds), and finally hooked up the electrical.

I then went to the local school parking lot to setup the brake controller, very easy to use.

Then off we went (forgot to mention Tahoe was topped off with premium gas, I always use premium for towing, 26 gallons). Acceleration was great merging onto the freeway (tow/haul mode is on). First grade was the Cajon Pass, not a very difficult grade 3-4% if that, 7MPG, I was in the lane next to the truckers lane, average 52-57MPH, not bad. Got onto the 395 north, 17 miles of 50MPH max for road construction (what a pain). After that 55-65MPH, 13-15MPG. Arrived in Bishop, topped of gas, had lunch, back on the road.

Second grade (IDK the name) is a few miles north of Bishop, much shorter than Cajon, but much steeper, 4-5%, averaged 4MPG, but only took 15 minutes.

Now in the high country, with the third and final grade, again steep and short, I would guess same percent as second grade, 4MPG also.

We arrived at our campsite at 4pm in the afternoon, leaving at 7am in the morning. Not 1 issue with the Tahoe, trans temp did not get hotter than 205, engine oil temp did not seem to rise much. I set the cruise to 60 MPH, 80% of the time, with tow/haul on the duration of the drive. Granted we did drive through the desert in the morning, I would guess 3-5 degrees hotter for the fluids if driving during peak temps.

Disclaimer, we drove from elevation of 1200 feet, to June Lake at 6700, not a whole lot of braking, but when I needed to brake you really couldn't tell the trailer way their. It took my wife and I about 15 minutes to setup the brake controller, read the manual!

Interesting items I noticed, only 1 time did the electric fans got to "max" speed, pulling out of Bishop (98 degrees) to start the 2nd grade, they stayed on the whole grade, as soon as we "leveled" off, they decreased speed. Going from a 4 speed with 3.73 (OBS Suburban) to a 6 speed with 3.42, I felt the Tahoe "pulled" better, the horsepower is probably a significant factor, 100 more HP than the vortec 350.

Just my $.02 on towing with the 15's.

Malones, thanks for the nice write up! This is very nice for those concerned with grades.

Do you have any thoughts on handling at highway speeds? How much of an impact does that type of trailer have with cross winds? I see you had a suburban before, any comparison to that or 1500/2500 pickups?

Asking since I use the same truck(w/ max trailer pkg) and want to upgrade the trailer to one similar to yours. The smaller trailers I've tow'd so far (<3,000 lbs) are not even noticeable behind this truck!

My worry is mainly due to the short wheel base of the tahoe, with a long ~30ft trailer.

The V8 has plenty of power, as you don't seem to have much trouble with steep grades. Also, the truck weighs more than enough, so the trailer shouldn't pull the truck around too much because of weight.

Thanks again!

 

[Yukon John]

Thanks for the great write up. I am still breaking my 2016 Yukon in (Max Tow SLE)...less than 1000 miles.

I will be towing a 26' boat on a twin torsion axle trailer with 4 wheel disc surge brakes. I figure I'm towing about 7500# gross so I have 1000# safety factor. Tongue weight is about 600# My previous tow vehicle was a 2005 Escalade ESV with AWD and 6.0 Vortec HD and did a great job.

My concerns now are how 2 WD/Posi will perform at the ramp as well as on wet pavement towing.

Depending on how the Yukon performs I may upgrade the brakes to electric over hydraulic to take advantage of the integrated controller.

Stay tuned.

 

[Yukon John]

OK...at 1000 miles I towed my 26' Thunderbird Formula boat for the first time.

I am in summary very impressed with the way the Yukon handles the 7500# gross weight of the boat and trailer. Acceleration is a bit better than my Escalade 6.0 LQ-9 was...probably due to the 6 speed automatic and a little more torque. The braking with the trailer surge brakes was good. My big relief was how well the Yukon pulls the boat out of the water on a steep, wet ramp at low tide! The 3:42 Posi 2 wheel drive does a great job.

At 65 - 70 MPH the rig is very stable but I have to say the ride is not quite on par with the Escalade ESV...strictly a wheel base issue. I do however enjoy how much easier it is to maneuver this rig in traffic with the standard wheel base.

The Auto Leveling is flawless....with the Yukon running I lowered the 600# tongue onto the 2 5/16 ball...the compressor kicked in and automatically leveled the load. This is my first experience with a Factory Back Up Camera...HOLY CRAP...lining the ball up with the tongue is sooo much better !!

If there is a down side it's the mirrors....they SUCK !!! Someone needs to come up with some decent tow mirrors for these vehicles...what they give us from the factory is a joke !! My total towing length on the trailer is about 32' and it is down right scary trying to see down both sides of the boat !!

I am looking for a correction for this ASAP...suggestions are welcome.

 

[gGM Fan]

If there is a down side it's the mirrors....they SUCK !!! Someone needs to come up with some decent tow mirrors for these vehicles...what they give us from the factory is a joke !! My total towing length on the trailer is about 32' and it is down right scary trying to see down both sides of the boat !!

I am looking for a correction for this ASAP...suggestions are welcome.

I tow a Airstream travel trailer with our Tahoe and I use Melinco mirrors. I'm satisfied with them.

 

[why_fly_high]

I have a 2015 Tahoe 4WD with max trailering package. I am looking at a toy hauler that is 5500lbs. I could see it fully loaded hitting 7500 tops. We live in Oklahoma so not many hills and would probably not go more than about 300-400 miles from home tops. The trailer is not as long as others here at only about 25ft long but seems tall. I am afraid I am going to spend this chunk of money on a trailer and then hate life while pulling it. I would be within published manufacturers limits but am still worried. Anyone else towing near capacity of there Tahoe/Yukon?

Thanks!